Research

Erasmus Space Exhibition Centre

The Erasmus Centre is located at ESA’s Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The centre is a showcase for the Directorate of Human Spaceflight’s programmes and missions. Its role is to inform and advise users interested in ESA’s space platforms and ground-based facilities.

Services and facilities

There is a wealth of information available at the Erasmus Centre that can help researchers, payload developers and others to learn about the research facilities operated by the Directorate of Human Spaceflight. Click on each section for detailed information.

The Erasmus Experiment Archive is a comprehensive database of experiment records from ESA-funded or co-funded experiments that were performed on space platforms and microgravity ground-based facilities.

The High Bay is a 900 m2 exhibition area where users and researchers can familiarise themselves with experiment facilities. The display includes a 1/10 scale model of the complete International Space Station and full size models of ESA's Columbus laboratory and Russia's Zvezda module. A Russian Foton capsule and a Texus sounding rocket that have flown in space stand next to a parabolic flight demonstrator, a drop tower and training modules for practical demonstration and familiarisation of the main Columbus experiment facilities.

The Erasmus Multimedia Library has a large video display to share information between users. The Multimedia Library is ideal for cooperative work of groups up to 20 people.

The Auditorium is a general-purpose area that can host events with up to 120 people.

The Erasmus centre has a fully-equipped television studio for producing videos such as Human Spaceflight Mission Highlights, educational films and interviews as well to support to external television crews.

A Virtual Reality Theatre shows users a realistic 3D representation of the International Space Station couples with unique high-resolution 3D pictures. The theatre can host up to 25 visitors.

During human spaceflight missions and other important events, the Erasmus Centre provides live video broadcasts via web streaming. Educational content is also offered by this Streaming video service.